Poll: Texans appear to favor spending on roads over water

AUSTIN — Texans support a Nov. 5 ballot proposition to spend $2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund for water infrastructure projects but appear more willing to shell out cash to fix roads and bridges.

That’s one of the takeaways from a wide-ranging poll released Tuesday from the Texas Lyceum. Check the executive summary here (note: there’s a small mistake on the bar chart on page 5; should say 42 percent, not 47 percent, for texting and driving).

The survey of 1,000 Texans— 800 of which are registered voters — respectively pegged the economy and Syria as top issues facing the country, while education and immigration ranked as the most important state issues.

Among registered voters, there was a 44 percent to 42 percent margin in favor of the water proposal. The proposal faired better when pollsters narrowed the water question to “likely voters” who are “extremely interested” in politics — pushing a 49 percent in favor, compared to 36% opposed.

On transportation issues, however, 64 percent of respondents said they are willing to pay more in taxes or fees to repair and improve existing roads, highways and bridges. The poll also found 57 percent expressed a willingness to pay new fees and taxes to cover additional lanes added to highways and roads.

“It’s plausible that roads and bridges are a little more tangible, a little more apparent,” said University of Texas Professor Daron Shaw, who conducted the poll on behalf of the Texas Lyceum. “Where as water infrastructure … if you can turn on the tap, that’s most people’s exposure to water issues in the state of Texas. So long as water is coming out it seems to be more distant.”

More results from the poll, which was conducted between Sept. 6 to Sept. 20.

Obamacare:

64 percent of Democrats had a favorable opinion of Obamacare, as did 11 percent of Republicans